Refrigeration



Feb.` 7, 1933. C, Q MUNTERSv 1,896,323

' REEMGERATION v Filed Jap. 2Q, 1928 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED Isun-as :PATENT OFFICE CARL GEORG' 0l' BTOCIHOLI,

SWEDEN, ABSIGNOB T HIECTBOLUX SEIBV'ELV conroiwrron, or m roux, n, r.. a coaroaarron or nmwm mmann'anon Arjuna ned nani-y so, me, :erm n.

My invention relates to refrigeration `and partlcularly to the circulation of fluid in absorption systems. Still more particularly my invention relates to absorptlon systems of the type wherein an equalizing medium such as a gas inert with respect to evaporated cooling agent is used to equalize pressure though it is not limited to such type.

The principal object of my invention is to provlde an improved periodic liquid circulation in an absorption. refrigerating stem. In the preferred form of the inventlon I utilize a reduction of pressure in a condenser assisted by generation of vapor in a enerator or expeller to cause the circulation.

n the preferred form, liquid is periodically withdrawn from the expeller to form a liquid column for causing liquid to ilow to the absorber. A liquid seal is formed between the vapor space of the expeller and the liquid column. This liquid seal is broken due to lowering of the surface of the liquidv in the expeller to a predetermined level which is preferably determined by the position of a bend of the liquid seal.

The preferred apparatus is of continuous operation with perlodic isolation of the condenser to cause the decrease in pressure. A liquid closure or seal between the condenser 3 and generator is used in the specific embodiment hereinafter described to periodically diminish or stop ilow of vapor from the generator to the condenser.

On the accompanying drawing which shows more or less diagrammatically one form of the invention:

Reference character 10 designates the enerator or ex llerwhich contains a coo vconduit 25. These ingagent or refrigerant, which is to be condensed man, ma u sweden :um ao. 1w.

rectifier is a vapor conduit 14 which serves to carry vapor driven from the solution in the generator to the condenser 15 `where it is condensed for subsequent evaporation. The condenser consists of a downwardly inclined vapor and liquid conveying conduit 16 surrounded by suitable cooling means such as the water conduit 17. Any kind of cooling medium may be used. The lower end of the condenser 15 is connected to a receptacle 18. Receptacle 18 is connected at the bottom to a U-tube 20 which has a considerable downward extent as it leads from the receptacle 18 and which extends upwardly to a point such that it is adapted to discharge liquid cooling agent .into evaporator 21. Evaporator 21 contains disks 22 which may be of the type shown in Patent No. 1,609,334 of December 7, 1926. Evaporator 21 is connected' to absorber 23 which also contains disks which 70 may be of the type shown in the same patent. The absorber and evaporator are connected by an upper gas conduit 24 and a lower gas conduits may be in heat excha e relation and the circulation throug the same is as described in the patent above referred to. The absorber-evaporator cycle includes an auxiliary agent into which the cooling agent diffuses. I prefer hydrogen for use with ammonia and water. Circulation is caused downwardly throu h the evaporator and upwardly through e absorber due to dierence in specic weight of a mixture of hydrogen and ammonia vapor on the one handand hydrogen alone on the other hand. While this is the preferred arrangement of evaporator and absorber and means for conveying Huid from the one to the other, it will be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to this specific arrangement but that many other arrangements may be used to make up an evaporator-absorber cycle and it is not even necessary that this part 4of the apparatus be a true circulatory cycle though I prefer such.

In the absorber the hydrogen is liberated and the evaporated ammonia is absorbed into solution and collects in the bottom part of the absorber from which it passes through 100 conduit 27 to the outer pipe 28 of the absorption liquid'heat exchanger designated generally by referencecharacter 29. Outer pipe 28 is connected by means of conduit 30 with the liquid ace of the generator. The absorber is c0013 by a cooling jacket 31 which is connectod in series with the cooling water pipe 17 of the condenser.

A receiver or separator 32 is connected at such a level that'liquid may ilow by gravity from the same through conduit 33 and into the top of absorber 23. Conduit 33 is the inner pipe of the heat exchanger 29 and liquid flowing through the same toward the absorber is cooled by liquidpassing through pipe 28 toward the generator. Pipe 34 connects riser conduit 11 with separator 32'. Conduit 34 extends within separator 32 so that it is on a certain height above the opening of conduit 33 in the absorber. Receiver 32 is connected at the top to riser conduit 11 by a gas line 37. Connected to the top of the generator and connected with riser conduit 1i is a conduit or tube 33 which has a downward and u ward bend like the letter U and which is a apted to act as a seal as will hercinaiter be explained. It will be seen that conduit 36 isconnected to the generator et a level higher than that at which riser conduit 11 is connected to the generator. Furthermore, conduit 33, as shown is connected ,to riser conduit l1 at a level higher than that at which conduit 36 communicates with the generator.

Conduit 2 0 is connected by means of con duit 33 with a chamber 39 surrounding the upper part of riser conduit ll and forming part ci the rectifier. Chamber 39 is connected to the gas space of the condenser by means ot conduit 40. The level of liquid in receptacle 18 and chamber 39 is maintained the same by means ci conduits 33 and 40. A conduit 4l connects the upper part of receptacle 1.8 with the lower part of the absorber for carryin away from the receptacle 18 traces oi hydrogen which may have been carried over to receptacle 18 from the generator and through the condenser.,

The operation oi the apparatus is as follows:

Assume ior the moment that the liquid in the various vessels of the system is at the levels indicated by dash and dot lines l-l. There is now pressure equalization throughout the apparatus. Generator l is filled to the top with water containing emmonia in solution and conduit 33 is also filled with liquid. The liquid level in chamber 39 and receptacle i8 is determined by the height of the right hand leg (es shown in the drawing) oi U-eonduit 20. Were the liquid higher, it would overdovv through the ght hand leg of conduit 23 into the evaporator. The liquid level in receiver 32 is determined by the highest point ci conduit 33 in the right hand part (as shown) which discharges into the absorb ers. The assumption is that this is a step in the operation and so there is some vapor in the condenser. Were this the initial operation, some vapor of the cooling agent would collect in the condenser which would oi of the surface of the abso tion liqui The condenser is now isolated m the generator, absorber and evaporator. Liquid 1n conduit 20, that is in the U-seal between the condenser and evaporator, causes the isolation as between the condenser and eva rator. Liquid inconduite 41 and 33 caus lsolation between the condenser and the absorber. The liquid in conduits 36 and 11 causes isolation between the generator and the condenser. The cooling water or other cooling medium being supplied at this time, there is a condensation. rEhis causes a decrease in volume of in the condenser and the diminution o volume causes a diminution of pressure so that there is, in effect, a suction action in the condenser, the pressure of the condenser being lower than that of the absorber and evaporator, and the decreased pressure in the condenser serves to suck or draw liquid u wardly in riser conduit l1, upwardly through the part of conduit 33 which-is connected to receiver 32, upwardly in the right hand portion (as shown) of conduit 41 and upwardly in the left hand portion (as shown) of conduit 23. The levels are nowthosc or approachin those indicated by dash and dot lines lI-I The vapor of the cooling agent expelledin the generator due to continued heating does not pass through conduit 36 but remains in the upper part of the generator and forces down the level of liquid in the generator and in the right hund leg (as shown) of the U-shape conduit 36. The weak liquid which is now being elevated or on which there is a suction edect in riser conduit ll, flows in part through conduit 3l and into the receiver 32.

The accumulation of vapor of the cooling agent in the upper part of the eenerator and the consequent lowering of the liquid level in the generator serves to aid the suction effect produced by the variation of condensation. The suction period continues until the level of liquid in the generator is lowered to a point where the level of liquid in U-shaped conduit 36 has reached the lower bend, that is, as in dicatcd by the dash and doi:- lines ll--ll drawn across the generator. Vapor accumulated in the generator is now able to pass through conduit 36, which may be termed o dow control conduit, and through liquid in riser conduit ll and from thence past rectifying disks l2 and to the condenser. This causes an equalization of pressure and the liquid in the cooperating branches of the various seals or U-shaped conduit portions eqnalizes so that the levels are returned to the positions indicated by dash and dot lines l-l,

the liquid whichhas been introduced into rereiver 32 during the suction period non' dow lld ldd

nicating with said riser conduit at a third level above said second level and said tubular member being constructed to cause fluid passy ing from the expeller therethrough to pass 5 upwardly above said second level, thence downwardly below said second level and thence upwardly to the riser conduit at said third level.

8. In refrigerating apparatus, an absorber. an expeller and means for producing flow of liquid therebetween including a riser conduit communicating with the expeller at a first level and extending upwardly above the expeller, and a tubular flow control member communicating with the expeller at a sec'- ond level higher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit at a third level above said second level and said tubular member consisting of a narrow pipe havin an intermediate U-bend extending below sald second level.

9. In refrigerating apparatus, an absorber. an ex ller and means for producing liow of liqui therebetween including a vriser conduit communicating with the expeller at a first level and extending upwardly above the expeller, and a tubular flow control member communicating with the expellcr at a second level higher than said first level and communicating with saidriser conduit at a third level above said second level and said tubular member comprising a narrow pipe having an intermediate portion below said second level and said riser conduit consisting of a relatively wide pipe. l y 10. In refri erating apparatus, a heated vessel, a cool vessel and means for producing flow of liquid therebetween in periodi(l cycles including a riser conduit communicating with the heated vessel at a first level and extending upwardly above the heated vessel,

and a cycle control conduit member communicating with the heated vessel at a second level higher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit and said cycle control member having a portion below said second level.

11. In refrigerating apparatus, a heated vessel, a cooled vessel and means for producing flow of liquid therebetween in periodic cycles including a riser conduit communicating with the heated vessel at a first level and extending upwardly above the heated vessel, and a cycle control conduit member communieating with the heated vessel at a second level higher than said first level and communlcating with said riser conduit and said cycle i member being constructed to cause control vtiuid to fiow in a path having an intermediate point below said second level.

12. In refrigerating apparatus, a heated vessel, a cooled vessel and means for producing flow of 'liquid therebetween in periodic cycles including a riser conduit communicating with the heated vessel at a. first level and extending upwardly above the heated vessel, and a cycle control conduit member communicating with the heated vessel at a second level higher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit and said cle control member causin fluid passing t erethrough from the heate vessel to flow downwardly below said second level and thence upwardly to the riser conduit.

13. In ref rating a paratus, a heated vessel, a cool vessel an means for producing flow of liquid therebetween in periodic cycles including a riser conduit communicating with the heated -vessel at a first level and extendin upwardly above the heated vessel, and a cyc e control conduit member communicating with the heated vessel at a second level higher thansaid first level and communicating with said riser conduit and said cycle control member being constructed to cause fluid passing therethrough from the heated vessel to pass upwardl above said second level, thence downwar ly below said second level and thence upwardly. to the riser conduit 14. In refrigerating apparatus, a heated vessel, a cooled vessel and means for producing flow of liquid therebetween in periodic cycles including` a riser conduit communicating with the heated vessel at a first level and extending upwardly above the heated vessel, and a cycle control conduit member communicating with the heated vessel at a second level .higher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit and said cycle control member consisting of a narrow ipe having an intermediate U-bend extendm below said second level.

15. n refrigerating apparatus, a heated vessel, a cooled vessel and means for producing flow of liquid therebetween in periodic cycles including a riser conduit communicating with the heated vessel at a first level and extending upwardly above the heated vessel, anda cycle control conduit member communicating with the heated vessel at a second level higher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit and said cycle control member comprising a narrow pipe having an intermediate portion below sald second level and said riser conduit consisting of a relatively wide pipe.

16. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a heated vessel, a condenser, an upwardly extending riser conduit communicating with said heated vessel at a first level and communicating at a relatively high elevation with the condenser, an absorber, an evaporator,

a liquid seal connected between the condenser and the evaporator, means for circulation of absorption liquid between the heated vessel and said absorber including a receiver arranged to permit flow of liquid therefrom into the absorber and a tube for forming a liquid seal connecting the heated vessel with the riser conduit and communicating with nanars the heated vessel at a level higher than said first level. l

17. That improvement in the art of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption system including an expeller, a condenser, an evaporator and an a sorber whlch consists in causing periodic flow of liquid between the expeller and the absorber by periodically withdrawing liquid upwardly from the expeller due to heating the expeller and cooling thecondenser to form-a liquid columnfor causing liquid to ilow to the absorber, forming a liquid seal between the vapor space of the expeller at a higher level than that of withdrawal of liquid and the liquid column and breaking the seall due to lowering of the surface of liquid in the expeller to a predetermined level.

18. That improvement in the art of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption system including an expeller and an absorber whichconsists in causing periodic ilow of liquid between the expeller and the absorberby eriodically withdrawing liquid upwardly iiom a given level in the expeller to form alliquid column for causing liquid to iiow tothe absorber, forming a liquid seal between the vapor space of the expeller at a level higher than said given level and the liquid column and breaking the seal due to.

lowering of the surface of the liquid in the expeller to a predetermined level.

19, Refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type having a refrigerant circuit including a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, connections forming a circuit for circulation of an inert gas between and through the evaporator and absorber and connections forming a circuit for ow oi absor tion liquid between the generator and absor r including a riser conduit communicating'with the generator at a rst level and extending upwardly above the generator, and a tubular flow control member communicating with the generator at a second level higher than said rst level and communicating with said riser conduit at a third level above'said second level and said tubular member having en ilntermediate portion below said second eve f 20. Refrigerating apparatus of the absorption `type having' a refrigerant circuit including a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber,'connections forming a circuit for circulation of an inert gas between and through the evaporator and absorber, and connections forming a circuit :for

How of absorption liquid between the generae tor and absorber including a riser conduit communicating-'withthe 'generator ata first level' and extending upwardly above the generator, and a tubular ow control member communicatin with the generator at a second level higher t an said first level and communicating with said'riser conduit at a third lsaid third level.'

level above said second level and said tubular member being constructed to cause fluid to iiow in a path having an intermediate Yroint below said second level.

21. Refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type-having a refrigerant circuit inclu ing a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, connections forming a circuit for circulation 'of an inert-gas between and through the evaporator and absorber,

and connections forming a circuit for flow of v'causing fluid passing from the generator therethrough to ilow downwardly below said second level and thence upwardly to the riser conduit.

22. Refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type having a refrigerant circuit including a generator, a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, connections forming a circuit for circulation of an inert between andthrough the evaporator and aligdrber, and connections forming a circuit for vllow of absor tion liquid between the generator and absor r including a riser conduit communicating with the generator at a first level and extending upwardly above the generator, and a tubular ilow control member communicating with the generator at a second level higher. than said iirst level and communicating with said riser conduit at a third level above said second level and said tubular member being constructed to cause tluid passing'from the generator therethrough to pass upwardly above said second level, thence downwardly below said second level and and thence upwardly to the riser conduit at 23.- Refrgeratin ap aratus of the abso tion type having a efrigerant circuit incllliling ay generator, a condenser, and an absorberz connections forming a circuit for circulation of an inert rgas between and through the evaporator and absorber,

and connections forming a 4circuit for flow lof absor absor r including a riser conduit communicating with the generator at a first level and extending upwardly above the generator, and a tubular liow control member communicating with the generator at a second levelhi'gher than said first level and communicating with said riser conduit ata third level above said second level and said .tubular member consisting of a narrow pipe having an intermediate U-bend extending'below said second level.`

an evaporator tion liquid between the generator and B. y am 24. Befrgeratinga paratusoftheabso tiontypehavingare circuitinchli: in a generator, a con enser,.an evaporator an an absorber, connections forming a circuit 5 for circulation of an inert between and through the evaporator an abeo and connections forminga circuit for flow of absor tion liquid between the enerator and ab sor r including a riser con uit communicat- 0 ing with the generator at a first level and exding upwardly above the generator, and a tubular dow control member communicating with the generator at a second level hlgher than said first level and communicating with l5 said riser conduit at a third level above said second level and said tubular member comprising a narrow pipe having an intermediate portion below said second level and said riser conduit consisting of a relatively wide pipe.

m In testimony whereof' I hereunto ax my A signature. A

CARL GEORG 

